Ah, Pride weekend in Toronto. A weekend of love, diversity, acceptance, and a whole lot of celebrations.
If you're looking to join the festivities, we have a complete list of the various events for different identity groups, interests and beliefs below.
Find your flavour of Pride love and celebrate the weekend away at any of these 10 phenomenal Toronto events.
Looking for the main Pride March event? Find out everything you need to know about the Pride Parade here.
1. Brandy Opening Night
When: Friday, June 22 at 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.Where: Yonge and DundasAdmission: Free!
Lock the doors, pull the blinds, and throw on your finest first day of Pride Weekend look for the big, bright, bodacious opening night party in the middle of everything at Yonge-Dundas Square! This massive free show will include some brilliantly fab hosts, queens, performers, DJs, and a live performance from R&B Diva Goddess Brandy presented by OLG.
2. Night At The Aqueerium
When: Friday, June 22 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.Where: Ripley’s Aquarium of CanadaAdmission: $40
Come celebrate Pride with all the colours of the rainbow at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada.
Your vibrant deep-sea adventure awaits with an evening of music featuring DJ Cozmic Cat and DJ Lucie Tic, drag queens, refreshments, and a photo booth that will have you feeling like a true sea star! This 19+ event is the perfect way to shell-ebrate Pride Month and have some fun with over 20,000 colourful aquatic animals.
3. 2018 Trans March
When: Friday, June 22, Rally at 7:00 p.m. March at 8:00 p.m.Where: Church street at Hayden streetAdmission: Free!
Toronto’s Trans March is officially one of the largest, most exciting Pride events in the world.
This is not only for all the trans and non-binary folks, friends, and allies who rally and march together in solidarity, but also for anyone lucky enough to witness the landmark event. Trans, women of colour, and people with different abilities are encouraged to lead the march and set the pace for all.
4. Street Fair
When: Friday, June 22 to Sunday 24Where: Carlton Street to Dundas StreetAdmission: Free!
During the whirlwind of events, parades, marches, and parties, don’t forget to do you.
Or grab a gaggle of friends and wander through the Village to connect with the community. And maybe do a little shopping while you’re at it. The annual community street fair aims to give exposure to local organizations, artisans, and businesses, with offerings ranging from jewellery to dildos to T-shirts to food.
5. Alterna Queer
When: Friday, June 22 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.mWhere: South StageAdmission: Free!
Get a taste of what Toronto’s West End queer scene tastes like with the city’s most vile vixens, The House of Filth. They’re loud, rude, they like to roll around in gutter and sit on cakes. They are the queens that do things other queens haven’t even dreamed up in their darkest nightmares.
6. Clean, Sober, And Proud
When: Friday, June 22 to Sunday, June 24Where: Paul Kane Parkette, North Side of Wellesley, Just West of ChurchAdmission: Free!
Always a refreshing oasis in the shiny, happy madness that can be Pride weekend, the Clean, Sober, and Proud space is a dedicated drug- and alcohol-free zone for everyone to enjoy. It features all types of great entertainment in a laid-back, family-friendly environment. Take in live performances, games, fun, and confidential recovery meetings all weekend long.
7. Cherry Bomb Pride: Love Is Electric!
When: Friday, June 23Where: Mod Club TheatreAdmission: $20
Toronto’s most explosive party for queer women and friends celebrates its love electric at this Official Dyke Day After Party. DJs Cozmic Cat, Denise Benson, LL Cool Wei, Recklezz plus Spin Starlets and more.
8. Christie Pits Film Festival Opening Night
When: Saturday, June 24 at 7 p.m.Where: Christie Pits ParkAdmission: Free!
Christie Pits Film Festival opens its summer-long season of outdoor films with a special Pride affiliated screening of a John Waters classic.
9. Faith in Pride
When: Sunday, June 24Where: Church 115 Simpson Ave.Admission: Free!
Join in for Canada’s largest annual outdoor worship service at the North Stage on Church Street, June 24 at 11:00 a.m. Celebrate diverse sexualities, gender identities and faith backgrounds.
10. Drag Ball
When: Saturday, June 23 at 6:00 p.m.Where: Yonge and DundasAdmission: Free!
Drag Ball is the place to be for all drag fans.
It’ll see Yonge-Dundas Square taken over by big hair, big moves, fierce outfits, and tight tucks. Expect a non-stop on-stage parade of the city’s best drag queens and kings, as well as Sydney Australia’s drag DJ Kitty Glitter serving a platter of beats to eat up. Glitter is a specialist in big summer sounds, making the minutes between performances a tasty treat in the heat.
